Annual Archon Weekend Schedule of Events and Information, Oct. 16-18

The annual Archon Weekend and Assembly of the Order of Saint Andrew will be held October 16-18 at the Hilton Hotel in New York City. The Hon. Vice President Joseph R. Biden will be the recipient of the 2015 Athenagoras Human Rights Award at the Grand Banquet, Saturday, October 17. Archon Hon. Nicholas Tsoucalas will be the recipient of the Nicholas J. Bouras Award for Extraordinary Archon Stewardship on Friday, October 16 at the annual Award Presentation and Dinner Dance. Below is the schedule and hotel information including special room rates.

The Award is named after the late National Vice Commander Nicholas J. Bouras, Archon Depoutatos, who had demonstrated during his lifetime remarkable leadership as a faithful son of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and extraordinary Archon stewardship of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.

We begin the evening with a cocktail reception, followed by an elegant dinner and formal presentation of the Nicholas J. Bouras Award for Extraordinary Archon Stewardship to the Hon. Nicholas Tsoucalas, Archon Hartoularios by His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America and the National Commander. After the presentation program, the evening concludes with festive dancing and fellowship where Archons, Archons-elect and their families meet and socialize within the Archon family.

Archons-elect and their spouses will gather for an orientation presentation by the National Commander who will offer a multi-media program reviewing the awesome responsibilities and roles of Archons, who are advocates of religious freedom and serve as Defenders of the Faith.

10:00AM - 12:30PMArchon General AssemblyTrianon Ballroom, 3rd Floor

All Archons, Archons-elect and spouses are expected to attend the annual meeting to discuss the vision and strategy to secure religious freedom for the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Specific religious freedom programing, formal committee reports and other items of concern regarding the well-being of the Ecumenical Patriarchate will be presented thereby offering an open Archon forum for deliberation. Archons-elect will be introduced to the His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America, Exarch of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and a group photo of the Archon Class of 2015 will be taken.

12:30PM - 1:30PM
Archon Agape LuncheonMercury Suite, 3rd Floor

All Archons, Archons-elect and spouses are invited to attend our annual Agape Luncheon which will feature keynote speaker Steve Plate, Deputy Chief of Capital Planning and Director, World Trade Center Construction Department at Port Authority of New York/New Jersey.

The black-tie gala is the Archon premier event and fundraiser which begins with a one-hour cocktail reception, followed by the introduction of the dais and the presentation of the 2015 Athenagoras Human Rights Award to Vice President Joseph R. Biden, by the Exarch Archbishop Demetrios of America and the National Commander.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18

9:00 AM
Matins and Procession of Archons and Archons-ElectCathedral Undercroft

Archons and Archons-elect will assemble in Cathedral undercroft for a group portrait and additional instructions. Then all Archons will process into the Cathedral together for Matins.

10:00 AM
Archiepiscopal Divine Liturgy and Investiture of the Class of 2015 ArchonsArchdiocesan Cathedral Of The Holy Trinity

The morning begins with the celebration of the Divine Liturgy by His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America, Exarch of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, with Metropolitans and assisted by Bishops and visiting Clergy. At the conclusion of the service, new Archons will be invested and presented with their Offikia and Cross of Saint Andrew.

1:00 PM
Archon Fellowship ReceptionCathedral Center Ballroom

Following Divine Liturgy and the Investiture of the Class of 2015 Archons, an Archon Fellowship Reception of Thanksgiving hosted by the Order of Saint Andrew is offered in the adjacent Cathedral Center ballroom.

Rooms are available from Oct. 13–18 at a special price of $389 per night.

New York Hilton Midtown
1335 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10019

Established in 1986, the Athenagoras Human Rights Award is presented annually at the Order of Saint Andrew’s Grand Banquet to a person or organization, which has consistently exemplified by action, purpose and dedication, concern for the basic rights and religious freedom of all people.

The Award was named after one of the Great Church Leaders of the 20th Century, the late Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, Athenagoras I. Past recipients of the award have included Presidents Jimmy Carter and George H. W. Bush, Mother Teresa, Elie Wiesel and Mikhail Gorbachev.

THE NICHOLAS J. BOURAS AWARD FOR EXTRAORDINARY ARCHON STEWARDSHIP
Named After An Extraordinary Churchman

New York, NY - The National Council of the Order of Saint Andrew unanimously voted in 2010 to establish the Nicholas J. Bouras Award. The Award is presented annually to an individual who has demonstrated extraordinary and incomparable stewardship to the Order, enabling Archons to vigorously pursue securing religious freedom for the Mother Church of Constantinople.

The Award is named after the late National Vice Commander Nicholas J. Bouras, Archon Depoutatos, who himself has demonstrated remarkable leadership as a faithful son of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and exemplary steward of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.

Churchman, World War II hero, devoted husband of his beloved late wife Anna, Philanthropist, sincere Christian, Archon par excellence and Industrialist are terms that have all described the life of Nicholas J. Bouras.